Mother Goose in Space

The concept of pantomime set in the space age and, indeed, in space itself is, of course, quite new and the writer, also the director, had set himself quite a challenge following his decision to pursue this. The stories of Cinderella, Aladdin and many others are so well known as to make their move to outer space unlikely if not impossible and, although the tale of Mother Goose is perhaps more easily transported, the writer needs to dream up a whole new story virtually from scratch.

I am pleased to report that all this was completed very successfully with some fine performances as members of the group build on previous experience and grow in confidence. Sophie McCudden, a 6th former at her school, is something of a veteran of these pantomimes and made a splendid job of her role as Captain Jack Saturn, master of the good (space)ship RCMG Frontier. Abbie Goodwin, even younger but nevertheless in her eighth panto, provided the love interest as Daisy whilst Jake England has undertaken a variety of roles over a similar period of time, on this occasion something of a farewell appearance as the villainous Nimbus as he is soon to take up a post as a Butlin’s red coat. There are two pairs of “village idiot” types, Gaius and Astrid, played by Jane Richardson and Helena Tarren respectively and Raz and Daz (Joanne Johnson and Cath Colman), a successful pairing from previous years, all providing plenty of good fun. The part of the Dame with this group tends to change from year to year and all concerned have been excellent. This year the extravagant frocks etc. were in the care of Chris Scott as Vala and he quickly had the audience on his side. Not content with writing and directing, Ryan Stocks spent the evening as Apollo, a robot capable of dispensing advice, toast and perhaps more whilst Lily Worth as Priscilla ensured that the all-important egg was suitably laid.

Not to be overawed by all this panto experience around him, Shaun Doyle made a particularly impressive debut in the genre as Marty, a sort of “Buttons” cum “Idle Jack” cum ”Wishee Washee” type of character whose task is to endear himself to the audience from the very first few lines of the Pantomime. His energy, coupled with a constant smile, enabled him to make a great success of what is not always an easy task. 

My report last year paid tribute to the skill of the scenery designer and stage crew and it would be wrong of me not to do so again. The interior of a space ship is familiar only from various films, none of us will have personal experience and so the set designer (Jane Richardson again) has a free rein to let her imagination take charge.  The result gave us an excellent set with plenty of knobs and gadgets for the younger members of the cast to control.    

Finally, as if to prove that no journey is beyond the remit of the Ripon Hornblower, we were able to welcome him as part of his nightly “setting the watch” ceremony whereby he has to report having done so to the Mayor wherever he may be – even in space!                          

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